(LOS ANGELES, CA) – Latino Public Broadcasting announced today that season four of VOCES, the Latino arts and culture documentary showcase series, will premiere in spring 2015 with three new broadcasts on Fridays at 10:00 p.m. ET from April 17 to May 1, 2015 (check local listings) on PBS. A fourth film, “Pedro E. Guerrero: A Photographer’s Journey,” will premiere this fall as a special co-presentation of VOCES and THIRTEEN’s American Masters. VOCES is presented by PBS SoCaL.
Kicking off the series on April 17 is Hector Galán’s “Children of Giant.” Sixty years after production began on George Stevens’ classic Giant, this new documentary returns to Marfa, Texas to explore how the groundbreaking film both reflected and transformed the lives of the town’s Anglo and Mexican-American residents. “Now en Español” (April 24) explores the ups and downs of being a Latina actress in Hollywood through the lives of the five women who dub “Desperate Housewives” into Spanish for American audiences — and whose real lives are often as dramatic and desperate as those of their onscreen counterparts. “El Poeta” (May 1) is a powerful and poignant profile of the renowned Mexican poet Javier Sicilia who ignited an international movement for peace after the brutal killing of his 24-year old son – collateral damage in a drug war that has left more than 100,000 dead or missing since 2006.
“The films in the new season of VOCES explore the ever-evolving relationship between Latino culture and the larger fabric of American society, from a classic movie set in remote Texas to modern day Hollywood to the frontlines of the drug war,” said LPB Executive Director and VOCES executive producer Sandie Viquez Pedlow. “The Latino American experience is so diverse and there are so many stories to tell. We’re delighted to play a part in bringing some of these stories to PBS through these remarkable films.”
“We’re delighted to partner once again with LPB to bring VOCES to PBS viewers,” said Donald Thoms, Vice President, General Audience Programming, PBS. “These remarkable documentaries showcase the rich mosaic of Latino culture and history, and are part of the PBS commitment to provide stories that reflect our nation’s diversity, and which contribute to greater understanding and appreciation of ourselves as Americans.”
The schedule for the spring 2015 series of VOCES follows:
Friday, April 17, 2015, 10:00-11:30 p.m. ET (check local listings)
“Children of Giant”
Producer/Director: Hector Galán
In the summer of 1955, it seemed as if all of Hollywood had descended on the dusty West Texas town of Marfa as production began on the highly anticipated movie Giant,starring Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, and James Dean. Based on Edna Ferber’s novel about three generations of a powerful ranching dynasty, Giant took an unflinching look at feminism and class divisions and was one of the first films to explore the racial divide between Anglos and Mexican Americans in the Southwest. Now, 60 years later, “Children of Giant” goes back to Marfa. The film combines interviews with the cast and crew of Giant with the recollections of residents who participated in and witnessed the making of the film, many of whose lives mirrored the controversial themes of the film. To view the trailer, please click here.
Friday. April 24, 2015, 10:00-11:00 p.m. ET (check local listings)
“Now en Español”
Producer/Director: Andrea Meller
A fascinating look at a rarely seen side of Hollywood, “Now en Español” follows the trials and travails of five hard-working Latina actresses who dub “Desperate Housewives” for Spanish language audiences in the U.S. With real lives that are often as dramatic and desperate as those of their onscreen counterparts, the five dynamic women featured struggle to pursue their Hollywood dreams while balancing the responsibilities of paying rent and raising children. The film chronicles their lives as they audition for parts and work in the dubbing studio while striving for a career that offers more prominent — and on-screen roles. To view the trailer, please click here.
Friday, May 1, 2015, 10:00-11:00 p.m. ET (check local listings)
“El Poeta”
Producers/Directors: Katie Galloway and Kelly Duane de la Vega
Both heartbreaking and inspiring, “El Poeta” tells the story of renowned Mexican poet Javier Sicilia, who ignited mass protests and an ongoing international movement for peace after the brutal killing of his 24-year-old son Juan Francisco – collateral damage in a drug war that has left more than 100,000 dead or missing since 2006.Filmed over the course of three years, the film follows the journey of Sicilia and his movement as they make their way from Mexico’s most embattled cities – Juarez, Chihuahua, Durango and others – to the U.S., urging American citizens and lawmakers to share in the responsibility for the violence. “El Poeta” transforms the hard news story of drugs, murder, and corruption into a deeply personal examination of the impact of the ultimate loss on the human psyche – as well as the power of righteous protest. To view the trailer, please click here.
About VOCES
Produced by Latino Public Broadcasting, VOCES is PBS’ signature Latino arts and culture documentary showcase and the only ongoing national television series devoted to exploring and celebrating the rich diversity of the Latino cultural experience. The series is presented by PBS SoCaL and supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures, the Ford Foundation, and the Surdna Foundation through a grant from the NALAC Fund for the Arts Grant Program. More information about VOCES is available at VOCES on Facebook or Twitter.
About Latino Public Broadcasting
Latino Public Broadcasting (LPB) is the leader in the development, production, acquisition and distribution of non-commercial educational and cultural media that is representative of Latino people, or addresses issues of particular interest to Latino Americans. These programs are produced for dissemination to public broadcasting stations and other public telecommunication entities. Latino Public Broadcasting provides a voice to the diverse Latino community throughout the United States and is funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Between 2009 and 2014, LPB programs won 85 awards, including the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award, two Emmys, two Imagen Awards and the Sundance Film Festival Award for Best Director, Documentary. In addition, LPB has been the recipient of the Norman Lear Legacy Award and the NCLR Alma Award for Special Achievement – Year in Documentaries.
About PBS SoCaL
PBS SoCaL is the only station in the Greater Los Angeles area providing the full PBS schedule to Southern California and is home to all PBS program premieres as they are released nationally. As Southern California’s full-service PBS station, PBS SoCaL provides early education, access to a broad array of arts and culture, and programs for, about, and by the people of Southern California.
PBS SoCaL is the parent to three unique broadcast channels, PBS SoCaL/KOCE-HD, PBS SoCaL Plus and PBS SoCaL World, which are dedicated to educating, entertaining and enlightening viewers throughout Southern California. PBS SoCaL offices are located in downtown LA, Century City and Costa Mesa. PBS SoCaL is proudly our communities’ largest classroom, largest stage for the arts and trusted source of information. Explore the future of PBS in Southern California at www.pbssocal.org.
About PBS
PBS, with over 350 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and online content. Each month, PBS reaches more than 103 million people through television and over 33 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS’ broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry’s most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. PBS’ premier children’s TV programming and its website, pbskids.org, are parents’ and teachers’ most trusted partners in inspiring and nurturing curiosity and love of learning in children. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the Internet, or by following PBS on Twitter, Facebook or through our apps for mobile devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS Pressroom on Twitter.
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